JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Rep. Chuck Gatschenberger, R-St. Charles, told The Missouri Times that he would soon be officially announcing his intentions to run for the second senatorial district currently occupied by Sen. Scott Rupp.
Rupp, who was elected in a special election, will be forced out by term limits during 2014.
Gatschenberger has already assembled a campaign team that includes former House Speaker Steve Tilley and GOP consultant Logan Thompson, among others.
Gatschenberger has a large House district because of redistricting. He already has campaigned in 76 percent of the senatorial district, and won his last two House elections in which he had opponents by more than 70 percent.
“There was a lot of thinking and praying, but ultimately (running) seems like the right thing to do,” Gatschenberger told The Missouri Times. “It went from people asking me if I’d run to people telling me I was going to run, so I think I’ve got lots of support.
Gatschenberger stressed that he’s anti-abortion, pro-gun, and said those beliefs are “carved in stone.”
The NRA and Missouri Right to Life have endorsed him in his previous elections. His official announcement will take place on June 3 in the district.
To contact Collin Reischman, email collin@themissouritimes.com, or via Twitter at @Collin_MOtimes.
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
